Hi everyone, I hope all you survived the holidays and are getting back to normal. I am so proud of Brittany/Jason and Kaylie/LJ for posting on the blog. I'm hoping everyone else will get with it and keep in touch. We really enjoy reading about the happenings in the family.
Since it's been a while since we wrote we thought we'd mention some of the highlights of the past few month. November was one of the best and busiest months we've had in a long time. It was so sad that Grandma Hancock passed away, but it was also a blessing. She would say, " I'm so tired." She wanted to go home. It made us so happy that all of you were able to come to her funeral. It meant a lot to Dad/Grandpa. Every day we say how blessed we are to have all of you in our family.
We were excited for Tyson to turn 12 and receive the priesthood. He is doing a good job passing the sacrament. It was a fantastic experience to be in the temple together for Kaylie and Zach's endowment session. When Brittany and Jason came in, it made it even more special. The wedding was also fantastic. To be in the temple with all the families was so wonderful. It is the thing parents dream of. All of you made our dreams come true. The reception was so much fun. Steve and Lynette and everyone made everything so special.
It is hard to believe that we have two grandsons entering the mission field. They both did a fantastic job on their talks in sacrament meeting. I know they will make great missionaries. We are so proud of them.
Thanksgiving was great with most of the family here. We had a houseful, but it was really fantastic. We are grateful that our house will hold everyone. It was really fun.
We enjoyed a traditional Christmas Eve with the family, and a quiet Christmas morning with Dona and Jared. It was nice having them here with us. They keep asking us where the hiding place is for the Christmas presents. We aren't going to tell!! Jared fixed a really nice Christmas dinner with Prime Rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and spinach salad. It was really good, but we all ate too much.
Our trip to Portland was memorable because we got in a hugh snowstorm just as we got to Portland. It was horrible. After driving seven hours, we spent three more hours trying to get to one of the kid's houses. Finally on our second attempt we were able to get to Mike's. There were cars off the road everywhere. No one could get up the hills. We had to turn around a couple of times and go in a different direction. It is amaziang that we didn't get lost. We had lots of fun with the families there. We ate dinner at everyone's house, and played a lot of games. We had a New Year's Eve party at Chad's. The kids had a great time making noise. When the New Year approached we watched the ball drop in New York. The kids went outside and celebrated with an air horn. There were a lot of fireworks going off also. We couldn't see them but we could hear them. We had a great time.
It was special to see Ryan baptized. He was very excited, and he only had to go down once. We are so grateful that you parents are teaching your children to do what's right.
When we got home life got pretty busy. We had to prepare an Arrow of Light ceremony for Cub Scouts. I got Dad/Grandpa to dress up as Chief Akela. He borrowed an Indian headdress from a friend. The ceremony was pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. The Scouts were very quiet throughout the ceremony. That is how you know if it's any good.
This has been way too long. We hope all of you will post your Blog's. We need to keep in touch. If we don't hear from you, you'll be getting a reminder from us. We love all of you and miss you. Love, Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Libby's Post
Hey, Everyone--
This'll be quick, I promise! In fact, I'll use a list to make it easier--
IT WAS WONDERFUL to be at Kaylie and LJ's wedding dinner and sealing and reception: the two of you were so happy and just glowed--CONGRATULATIONS again! I know how much it meant to Brittany to have the Oregonians at her wedding, so I do understand how much it meant to have them come again for yours--it's been a banner travel year for them! A strange connection occurred: LJ's mom's cousin is MY cousin, Jolyn Heder! (The look on his face in the sealing room when I mentioned I was related to Jo was priceless. =) She assured me that LJ is as great as Kaylie says he is, and I assured her that Kaylie is as great as LJ says SHE is, so they'll be great together! It's a small world, isn't it?
Attending Nate's and Zach's Missionary Farewells was a wonderful experience. How GRATEFUL I am for the example they are setting for their younger cousins, and for the people in their ward. They are AMAZING young men, and I know their mission locations will be well-served. Some of you know that Zach will be in my parent's mission in Ecuador--I'm excited to have that extra link in place, and know that my parents are looking forward to getting to know another Hancock and serve with him! Steve and Lynette: after the past few month's milestones, it is EXTREMELY clear that you are wonderful parents and have reared your children "in righteousness"...you both also serve as humble but exemplary examples of parenting to all of us. Thank you for all you've done and do.
My aircast came off and a strong brace went on December 22, 2009--it was great to wear BOTH shoes for a change, although there are only two pairs that have enough "give" to handle the extra space that the brace takes up. By the time school started, I was pronounced "able to walk without it" so that's what I've been doing for the past two weeks. On Mondays my ankle looks and feels pretty good, but by the end of the day--and week, especially--it's not so great. I guess this is just one of those things that I'll be dealing with forever--at least in this life. Movement in my ankle is okay, though not at 100%, and may never be--I don't know about physical therapy yet; my last appointment is supposed to be February 2nd. Maybe we'll get some money from Worker's Comp to make up for the lifetime "loss" of full movement (Dad's idea)?
School has been crazy. Most of you know Dave didn't get the director position: a management company run by a former businessman (he's been in Charter Schools for 5 years) got the job. As he is the current f/t principal for his own school, he won't even be at ours more than once a week or so, which raises other questions. Mr. Muhlestein (new director) has spent one week--parts of it, really--at our school and has done the following: cut one f/t teacher to p/t; cut one f/t teacher to 1/4 time; fired the entire counseling dept. and the librarian; moved one teacher to 1/2 time teaching and made him an asst. principal; moved Dave to 3/4 teaching and 1/4 time administration duty (with no prep); moved me to 1/2 time teaching and 1/2 time administration; and we'll probably find out about more changes on Tuesday. Dave doesn't know yet what his 1/4 time admin duties are; I have been asked to handle communication within/out the school, public relations/marketing, and recruiting, as well as be a "sounding board" to the new director. (He said that's because he gets the impression that I'm not afraid to say what I think, and he's right--what he doesn't know is that I'm so frustrated I simply don't care if what I say gets me fired or not. [This attitude does concern Dave, so I just don't tell him ahead of time what I'm going to say--or to whom it will be said.] Along with all the other teachers, I'm thoroughly fed up with the lack of communication, honesty, and integrity within administration--not to mention ridiculous financial decisions--so I'm really just say what everyone else is thinking.) I'm a little overwhelmed by what I think Mr. M wants me to do, but as Dave said, at least we have jobs through May. We should be able to get our official licenses (level 1) by then, and if we lose our jobs, we'll be able to look at "real" school districts, so that's good.
Dave gets to teach a Chess class as an elective, and also a Creative Writing (grades 10-12) so he's happy with those. James is in the Chess club and class and excited about his improvements as he plays. Isaac is now playing chess as well: he knows which way each piece can move, and plays with Katie and his Dad and really enjoys the game. (Dave is happy he finally has James and Isaac to play at home, although the level of competition isn't very high.=)
Dave was just released from YM and is now a co-teacher of Isaac's Primary class; I'm still doing the Ward Choir Director and Sacrament Chorister callings. We both start attending school again, Wednesday nights, beginning on January 20, 2010: the class will go through May, and then we'll still have one more to take in the summer.
Audrey was just asked to serve on the Stake Youth Council with 12 others; she'll be helping plan TREK for the 1300 youth in our stake. She's okay with the job, but annoyed that everyone thinks she'll be going, as she doesn't plan to: she went with our stake in CA and needs to work and/or attend school somewhere this summer...we'll see. She was just asked to join the high school's Madrigals, so she's excited about that, and is considering trying out for the drama dept.'s musical this semester, too--wow!
Isaac said just last week that he still misses our "real home" (in California), and so do I. Katie still misses her friends there as much as I miss mine, but everyone else seems settled in well enough, and thoroughly enjoy seeing their cousins more often than in the past.
Sorry that wasn't exactly short, but at least it's finally IN!
Libby
This'll be quick, I promise! In fact, I'll use a list to make it easier--
IT WAS WONDERFUL to be at Kaylie and LJ's wedding dinner and sealing and reception: the two of you were so happy and just glowed--CONGRATULATIONS again! I know how much it meant to Brittany to have the Oregonians at her wedding, so I do understand how much it meant to have them come again for yours--it's been a banner travel year for them! A strange connection occurred: LJ's mom's cousin is MY cousin, Jolyn Heder! (The look on his face in the sealing room when I mentioned I was related to Jo was priceless. =) She assured me that LJ is as great as Kaylie says he is, and I assured her that Kaylie is as great as LJ says SHE is, so they'll be great together! It's a small world, isn't it?
Attending Nate's and Zach's Missionary Farewells was a wonderful experience. How GRATEFUL I am for the example they are setting for their younger cousins, and for the people in their ward. They are AMAZING young men, and I know their mission locations will be well-served. Some of you know that Zach will be in my parent's mission in Ecuador--I'm excited to have that extra link in place, and know that my parents are looking forward to getting to know another Hancock and serve with him! Steve and Lynette: after the past few month's milestones, it is EXTREMELY clear that you are wonderful parents and have reared your children "in righteousness"...you both also serve as humble but exemplary examples of parenting to all of us. Thank you for all you've done and do.
My aircast came off and a strong brace went on December 22, 2009--it was great to wear BOTH shoes for a change, although there are only two pairs that have enough "give" to handle the extra space that the brace takes up. By the time school started, I was pronounced "able to walk without it" so that's what I've been doing for the past two weeks. On Mondays my ankle looks and feels pretty good, but by the end of the day--and week, especially--it's not so great. I guess this is just one of those things that I'll be dealing with forever--at least in this life. Movement in my ankle is okay, though not at 100%, and may never be--I don't know about physical therapy yet; my last appointment is supposed to be February 2nd. Maybe we'll get some money from Worker's Comp to make up for the lifetime "loss" of full movement (Dad's idea)?
School has been crazy. Most of you know Dave didn't get the director position: a management company run by a former businessman (he's been in Charter Schools for 5 years) got the job. As he is the current f/t principal for his own school, he won't even be at ours more than once a week or so, which raises other questions. Mr. Muhlestein (new director) has spent one week--parts of it, really--at our school and has done the following: cut one f/t teacher to p/t; cut one f/t teacher to 1/4 time; fired the entire counseling dept. and the librarian; moved one teacher to 1/2 time teaching and made him an asst. principal; moved Dave to 3/4 teaching and 1/4 time administration duty (with no prep); moved me to 1/2 time teaching and 1/2 time administration; and we'll probably find out about more changes on Tuesday. Dave doesn't know yet what his 1/4 time admin duties are; I have been asked to handle communication within/out the school, public relations/marketing, and recruiting, as well as be a "sounding board" to the new director. (He said that's because he gets the impression that I'm not afraid to say what I think, and he's right--what he doesn't know is that I'm so frustrated I simply don't care if what I say gets me fired or not. [This attitude does concern Dave, so I just don't tell him ahead of time what I'm going to say--or to whom it will be said.] Along with all the other teachers, I'm thoroughly fed up with the lack of communication, honesty, and integrity within administration--not to mention ridiculous financial decisions--so I'm really just say what everyone else is thinking.) I'm a little overwhelmed by what I think Mr. M wants me to do, but as Dave said, at least we have jobs through May. We should be able to get our official licenses (level 1) by then, and if we lose our jobs, we'll be able to look at "real" school districts, so that's good.
Dave gets to teach a Chess class as an elective, and also a Creative Writing (grades 10-12) so he's happy with those. James is in the Chess club and class and excited about his improvements as he plays. Isaac is now playing chess as well: he knows which way each piece can move, and plays with Katie and his Dad and really enjoys the game. (Dave is happy he finally has James and Isaac to play at home, although the level of competition isn't very high.=)
Dave was just released from YM and is now a co-teacher of Isaac's Primary class; I'm still doing the Ward Choir Director and Sacrament Chorister callings. We both start attending school again, Wednesday nights, beginning on January 20, 2010: the class will go through May, and then we'll still have one more to take in the summer.
Audrey was just asked to serve on the Stake Youth Council with 12 others; she'll be helping plan TREK for the 1300 youth in our stake. She's okay with the job, but annoyed that everyone thinks she'll be going, as she doesn't plan to: she went with our stake in CA and needs to work and/or attend school somewhere this summer...we'll see. She was just asked to join the high school's Madrigals, so she's excited about that, and is considering trying out for the drama dept.'s musical this semester, too--wow!
Isaac said just last week that he still misses our "real home" (in California), and so do I. Katie still misses her friends there as much as I miss mine, but everyone else seems settled in well enough, and thoroughly enjoy seeing their cousins more often than in the past.
Sorry that wasn't exactly short, but at least it's finally IN!
Libby
Friday, January 15, 2010
This post is a long time coming...
Okay, okay, so I haven't been so faithful with my Hancock Herald blog posts (or any blog posts for that matter); but I, like Brittany, miss the Hancock Herald. Let's get some updates up in here, people. :)
First, I don't know if I've done this on here, yet, but I want to thank everyone for coming down and supporting LJ and me on our special day. It really meant so much to have all of you there-- I can't possibly express how much it meant to us.
Since that fateful day, we've been busy being newlyweds, and doing typical newlywed things. We spent a week in Jersey after the wedding for Thanksgiving and our reception out there, and then headed back to Provo to take finals and get back into the swing of things. About a week after returning home, I got in a car accident. Yes, I know. Again. Totaled the Prizm, which was tragic because I loved that car. (I am severely understating here. I was extremely upset at the time.) We worked things out with one car, though, until last week, after repacing tires and a catalytic converter (which I called a cadillac converter for a week before LJ corrected me), the Jetta clearly told us that it did not want to drive another mile. This week has been interesting-- my work and school schedule is so bizarre that I thought there was no way anyone could give me lifts to and from-- But it all worked out really nicely. We looked and looked and looked for cars all week, and finally found a 1998 Hyundai Tiburon in really good shape for $1800. It was such a blessing, and definitely an answer to prayer.
Our first Christmas was a lot of fun. We did our own Christmas on Christmas Eve morning, and then spent the rest of the holiday with the fam. We talked to both Nate and Trey, which was wonderful. We spent the week after Christmas with LJ's family.
We're back in school, and it looks as though I am on track to graduate April of '11. I think I can hold out 'til then. LJ is probably going to major in Chinese, but he has a little bit longer than I do. LJ got a job with campus event planning. He plans most all of the events that happen on BYU campus. It's part-time during school, and full-time spring and summer. I'm still doing the orthodontic assisting thing.
Life is good. :)
We love everyone, and can't wait to hear about your lives!
First, I don't know if I've done this on here, yet, but I want to thank everyone for coming down and supporting LJ and me on our special day. It really meant so much to have all of you there-- I can't possibly express how much it meant to us.
Since that fateful day, we've been busy being newlyweds, and doing typical newlywed things. We spent a week in Jersey after the wedding for Thanksgiving and our reception out there, and then headed back to Provo to take finals and get back into the swing of things. About a week after returning home, I got in a car accident. Yes, I know. Again. Totaled the Prizm, which was tragic because I loved that car. (I am severely understating here. I was extremely upset at the time.) We worked things out with one car, though, until last week, after repacing tires and a catalytic converter (which I called a cadillac converter for a week before LJ corrected me), the Jetta clearly told us that it did not want to drive another mile. This week has been interesting-- my work and school schedule is so bizarre that I thought there was no way anyone could give me lifts to and from-- But it all worked out really nicely. We looked and looked and looked for cars all week, and finally found a 1998 Hyundai Tiburon in really good shape for $1800. It was such a blessing, and definitely an answer to prayer.
Our first Christmas was a lot of fun. We did our own Christmas on Christmas Eve morning, and then spent the rest of the holiday with the fam. We talked to both Nate and Trey, which was wonderful. We spent the week after Christmas with LJ's family.
We're back in school, and it looks as though I am on track to graduate April of '11. I think I can hold out 'til then. LJ is probably going to major in Chinese, but he has a little bit longer than I do. LJ got a job with campus event planning. He plans most all of the events that happen on BYU campus. It's part-time during school, and full-time spring and summer. I'm still doing the orthodontic assisting thing.
Life is good. :)
We love everyone, and can't wait to hear about your lives!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Christmas in CA
I've been waiting for two weeks now for someone else to post so I wouldn't have to post on this blog back-to-back, but I'm excited to write and can't wait any longer. =P
Christmas was absolutely WONDERFUL. =) We spent this Christmas with Jason's side of the family, and it was really fun for me to get to know all the extended family. They are an interesting group. =P We were given a sandwich maker like the one Grandma and Grandpa always used to make us cousins grilled cheese sandwiches as kids, which was super exciting. I'd always thought that sandwich maker was one of Grandma and Grandpa's coolest gadgets, and swore I'd have one someday. =)
Now for my extra-super-exciting news... Jason got me a piano!!! =D !!! It was a complete surprise. Jason and I set a twenty dollar budget for each other to spend on each other this Christmas, so I was completely speechless when I went to turn off the outside Christmas lights (the switch is in the garage) and found a piano sitting there with a bow on it. Though the garage was dim, Jason managed to catch my reaction on camera>
I'll admit I cried. As you all know music has always been a very important part of my life, and the piano especially. I'd been playing on a shaky keyboard that didn't have all the keys (for which I was grateful - it was better than nothing at all - but there's just no denying that it is NOT the same as a real piano) for the past eight months. This piano is a Starck 1921 stand-up grand>
So how did Jason pull off this extraordinary gift? He posted a "Wanted" add on Craig's list for, "a piano for my wife's first Christmas." An older couple in Long Beach (about two hours west of where we live) responded and told Jason he could have the piano for free if he would come and pick it up. One day, Jason went over to his brother's house to baby-sit our nephew. He was going to be back in time for me to leave for work originally, but then something came up (I assumed with his brother's doctor's appointment taking too long) and my mother-in-law had to drive me to work that day. Little did I know that Jason's brother and dad were actually on their way to Long Beach in my father-in-law's truck to haul the piano away and hide it in the garage (which we use for storage, rather than for cars, so it was pretty much guaranteed I wouldn't be in there for the next few days).
I am so blessed to have a husband who is so keenly aware of those things that make my heart happy. Piano is a part of me. And he recognized that and worked to make a piano happen. I am also truly grateful to have in-laws I can not only tolerate (which is more than some of my friends can say) but love! =)
We had a wonderful first Christmas together and are sure Kaylie and LJ did as well (keep us posted! =). We hope all of you enjoyed your not-so-first Christmases (each one gets better-right?). We love you, are thinking of you, and would love to see more blog posts soon!
Love,
Brittany and Jason
Christmas was absolutely WONDERFUL. =) We spent this Christmas with Jason's side of the family, and it was really fun for me to get to know all the extended family. They are an interesting group. =P We were given a sandwich maker like the one Grandma and Grandpa always used to make us cousins grilled cheese sandwiches as kids, which was super exciting. I'd always thought that sandwich maker was one of Grandma and Grandpa's coolest gadgets, and swore I'd have one someday. =)
Now for my extra-super-exciting news... Jason got me a piano!!! =D !!! It was a complete surprise. Jason and I set a twenty dollar budget for each other to spend on each other this Christmas, so I was completely speechless when I went to turn off the outside Christmas lights (the switch is in the garage) and found a piano sitting there with a bow on it. Though the garage was dim, Jason managed to catch my reaction on camera>
I'll admit I cried. As you all know music has always been a very important part of my life, and the piano especially. I'd been playing on a shaky keyboard that didn't have all the keys (for which I was grateful - it was better than nothing at all - but there's just no denying that it is NOT the same as a real piano) for the past eight months. This piano is a Starck 1921 stand-up grand>
So how did Jason pull off this extraordinary gift? He posted a "Wanted" add on Craig's list for, "a piano for my wife's first Christmas." An older couple in Long Beach (about two hours west of where we live) responded and told Jason he could have the piano for free if he would come and pick it up. One day, Jason went over to his brother's house to baby-sit our nephew. He was going to be back in time for me to leave for work originally, but then something came up (I assumed with his brother's doctor's appointment taking too long) and my mother-in-law had to drive me to work that day. Little did I know that Jason's brother and dad were actually on their way to Long Beach in my father-in-law's truck to haul the piano away and hide it in the garage (which we use for storage, rather than for cars, so it was pretty much guaranteed I wouldn't be in there for the next few days).
I am so blessed to have a husband who is so keenly aware of those things that make my heart happy. Piano is a part of me. And he recognized that and worked to make a piano happen. I am also truly grateful to have in-laws I can not only tolerate (which is more than some of my friends can say) but love! =)
We had a wonderful first Christmas together and are sure Kaylie and LJ did as well (keep us posted! =). We hope all of you enjoyed your not-so-first Christmases (each one gets better-right?). We love you, are thinking of you, and would love to see more blog posts soon!
Love,
Brittany and Jason
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)